Former Md. lawmaker Clarence Mitchell III dies

Former Maryland lawmaker Clarence Mitchell III, a civil rights leader and a member of one of the state's most prominent political families, has died. He was 72.

His nephew, Delegate Keiffer Mitchell, said Mitchell died Thursday morning at a Baltimore hospital, where he was being treated for lung cancer.

Clarence Mitchell served in the House of Delegates from 1963-1967 and was then elected to the state Senate, where he served until 1986. He was noted for pushing civil rights legislation through the Legislature. His father, Clarence Mitchell Jr., was the longtime chief lobbyist for the NAACP.

Mitchell was convicted of influence peddling in 1987 and spent 16 months in federal prison.

"No one's life is perfect, so you're going to hear a lot of different things about his life, and he would be the first to tell you he had many challenges in his life. But what he did is instill in his children and his grandchildren a sense to do something for someone else," Clarence Mitchell IV said.

His son, Mitchell IV, was also a state delegate and now hosts a talk show on WBAL-AM.

"We do mourn, and I mourn the loss of my father today. I also celebrate the great life that he lived. I celebrate the historic life that he presented to all of us who are beneficiaries of the public policy initiatives and the other ways he impacted us as a family, as well," Mitchell IV said.

His nephew, Del. Keiffer Mitchell, said his uncle was a man like no other who taught him about politics.

"He taught us what it meant to campaign, let's just say. He taught us how to knock on doors, how to be close to people. He taught us about organization. You can't just go out there, put your name on a ballot and expect people to vote. He said you always have to stay close to people, and he was the consummate politician and the consummate campaigner," Mitchell said. "He refused to let people beat him down."

At this time, funeral arrangements are pending.

Copyright 2012 by WBALTV.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.